Since 2009, foreign tourists (or non-residents) can get legally married in New Caledonia provided they comply beforehand with a few administrative procedures.

Horse riding

In New Caledonia, the horse is king. Used for work, casual riding, competitions and more, horses, both wild and domesticated, are as much a part of the local landscape as the region’s other top attractions. There’s even one horse for every 20 people living within the archipelago. With so much incredible scenery just waiting to be discovered, from the mountains to the waterfront, you’ll find that there’s nothing quite like New Caledonia horse riding.

Effortlessly combining the breathtaking beauty of the South Pacific with the elegance of Europe, Nouméa, New Caledonia is a captivating cosmopolitan capital. Lined with magnificent beaches, beautiful waterways and no shortage of breathtaking vantage points, a visit to the New Caledonian capital reveals some of the incredible reasons why this corner of the globe shouldn’t be missed. From engaging cultural attractions to fun activities for the whole family, there’s so much to see and do across the unforgettable oceanside city of Nouméa, New Caledonia.

Encompassing Ouvéa, the Isle of Pines, Lifou, Tiga and Maré, the five islands that border New Caledonia’s main island are a slice of island paradise just waiting to be discovered. From the Blue Hole of Hanawa on Ouvéa and Warrior’s Leap on Maré to the Jokin Cliffs on Lifour and the Isle of Pines’ Oro Bay, New Caledonia’s islands and their incredible natural beauty are nothing short of captivating.

The West Coast of the mainland (Grande Terre) shows off a great variety of scenery from its northern tip down to the area surrounding Nouméa. Characterised by both large spaces favouring cattle farming and a lagoon of stunning beauty, the West Coast is also host to a rich cultural heritage.

The central mountain range of the Mainland (Grande Terre) is a natural boundary, overlooking the very different faces of the East and West Coasts. Exposed to strong winds and therefore more humid, the eastern coast offers scenery with sumptuous flora. With a population of largely Melanesian origin, the East Coast has also retained a particularly charming flavour of authenticity.

The Great South, comprising the Mont-Dore and Yaté municipalities, is the most symbolic region for New Caledonia’s three main colours: blue, green and red. From the rainforest to the mining lands there are a thousand shades of green, while the ocean offers a dazzling palette of blues. But if one colour dominates the Great South, it is the specific red of its ground.

New Caledonia Tourism to travel around France on the “Train des Outre-Mer”

From 6 to 18 December, New Caledonia will be one of 9 overseas territories travelling on the “Train des Outre-Mer” (the Overseas Train), a project being launched by the SNCF, the Minister for France Overseas and the Association of French Mayors and Inter-Community Presidents. The destination will be presenting its tourist products and new digital communication tools to the general public.

From 6 to 18 December, the Train des Outre-Mer will meet the Metropolitan French public in 12 cities, giving them the opportunity to discover the culture, tourist attractions and the economic potential of these distant French territories. The Expo-Train will have 13 cars and will offer a roving exhibition open to the general public. During 2 weeks, visitors can learn about the identities and specific features of each destination through a programme based on entertainment, conferences, debates and projections in 12 towns and 10 regions of Metropolitan France.

The Train des Outre-Mer will be dedicated to innovations developed in the overseas territories, highlighting their contribution to the French economic growth and to the international French reputation. New Caledonia is featuring the tourist sector, promoting the strengths and potential of its scenery and the wide range of activities available. Possessing a unique culture and natural wealth, New Caledonia hopes to stand out, notably by its innovated digital-led communication. Multi-faceted and authentic, the South Pacific archipelago is taking advantage of this event to present its new products to the general public:

a new websitewww.newcaledonia.travel, practical and interactive, designed to give quick, useful information on accommodation, activities and sites within New Caledonia. It also offers an “Inspiration Engine” to guide visitors according to the type of trip they specifically want.

a new on-line photo library, which gives access to HD visuals arranged by theme, for easy and professional use.

a new Virtual Reality app, New Caledonia VR, available on Apple and Android. Using a Virtual Reality headset, 360° films plunge the internet user into the wonderful sites which make up this Pacific paradise.

some fifteen 360° films which will instantly transport the curious traveller to New Caledonia.

During the stop in Toulouse, on Monday 12 December, New Caledonia will be in the spotlight. In the presence of M. Philippe Gomès MP, visitors will be invited to discover the country’s wealth of treasures and tourist assets. The programme will include: a debate on the future of the country; performances by singers, dancers and Kanak poet Paul Wamo; a “discovery-conference” on the destination and more.

Over 20,000km from mainland France, New Caledonia is a French Territory located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, east of Australia. The South Pacific archipelago is made up of a Main Island, 450kms long, surrounded by the Loyalty Islands to the east (Ouvéa, Lifou and Maré), the Bélep archipelago to the north and the Isle of Pines to the south. Protected from the ocean by an immense coral barrier reef, New Caledonia has the largest lagoon in the world, registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2008. The island is ranked fifth in the world for its biological wealth. Keep up to date and follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest.